Tennessee

SB 1878 was introduced in January 2014. According to the text, the bill would require that genetically-engineered food sold in the state contain a label “plainly visible on the principal display panel” that “conspicuously contain[s] the words, ‘genetically engineered’.

On February 4, 31, 2013, SB.894, “Genetically Engineered Food Labeling Act of 2013”, to require the mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods. The bill was introduced to the Tennessee Senate by Senator Frank Nicely and has been assigned to the Commerce and Labor Committee. A companion bill, HB 1168, was introduced in the House by Representative Joe Towns and has been assigned to the Agricultural and Natural Resource Committee.

“requires that food in the following categories that is sold or distributed in or from this state bear a label that is plainly visible on the principal display panel and contains the conspicuous words "genetically engineered"”…

“…[and] classifies the sale, delivery for sale, holding for sale or offering for sale of any genetically engineered food whose label is misleading in violation of this bill a violation of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, which is a Class C misdemeanor and a violation of the Consumer Protection Act, which is a Class B misdemeanor.”

GMO Free Tennessee formed in 2012 to unite grassroots activists across the state, educate Tennesseans on the environmental and human health impacts of growing and consuming genetically modified organisms, and participate in The Coalition of States for Mandatory GMO Labeling as we work towards GMO labeling in Tennessee. We are currently gathering support for the Genetically Engineered Food Labeling Act of 2013, introduced by Representative Joe Towns and Senator Frank Niceley.